Story of the English Reformation (pt. 1)

In this episode we look at Henry VIII's marriage to Anne of Cleves, Martin Luther's influence on English churchmen like William Tyndale and Robert Barnes, the influence of the English-Schmalkaldic dialogues on the 39 articles, and more. (Show correction: the author Andrew mentions is Michael Whiting, not Whitling! Apologies) We also took the first segment of the episode to discuss recent feedback from our friend Fr. Isaac Rehberg. (Previous two-time guest on the podcast). Sharing feedback in the beginning of our episode will be a regular part of our routine going forward! Please reach out to us with your thoughts, questions, or suggestions: [email protected] Shownotes: Michael Whiting's book Luther in English: The Influence of His Theology of Law and Gospel on Early English Evangelicals (1525-1535) The Reformation Essays of Robert Barnes, edited by Neelak S. Tjernagel Henry VIII and the Lutherans: A Study in Anglo-Lutheran Relations from 1521 to 1547 by Neelak S. Tjernagel Documents of the English Reformation, edited by Gerald Bray Worship by Faith Alone: Thomas Cranmer, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Reformation of Liturgy by Zac Hicks

Did Henry VIII found the Anglican Church? That's one of many things we explore in this episode which will be the first of a multi-part series where James and Andrew discuss the 16th Reformation in England. In this part, we look at the so-called three 'streams' of Anglicanism, the Tudors, and Henry's reign up to his divorce with Anne of Cleves. Enjoy! Give us feedback on the podcast. Please reach out to us at [email protected] or leave us a review on wherever you listen to us at. Shownotes We reference or quote from the following works: Ben Crosby's Substack Draw Near with Faith The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind by Mark Noll Love's Redeeming Work: The Anglican Quest for Holiness  Long Before Luther: Tracing the Heart of the Gospel from Christ to the Reformation by Nathan Busenitz The English Reformation by A.G. Dickens Documents of the English Reformation by Gerald Bray The European Reformations by Carter Lindberg *Andrew could not find where he drew the quote from Ian Hazlett from, but if you happen to know, please inform him. Thanks!  

Matthew Barrett has recently made religious news: converting to Anglican Christianity from the Southern Baptist Convention and his new appointment at Trinity Anglican Seminary in Ambridge as research professor of theology.  In this throwback episode, Dr. Barrett joined Andrew and James on the podcast to discuss his book The Reformation as Renewal: Retrieving the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.  In the episode, we do a deep dive into the historical setting of the Reformation, the intellectual and philosophical milieu of which people like Luther emerged, the Reformation's roots in both patristic and medieval theology, and common caricatures of the Reformation. Enjoy!  

Continuing on the topic of the generation of Lutherans after Luther's death from our preceding episode, Dr. Wade Johnston comes on the show to discuss his recent book Life Under the Cross: A Biography of the Reformer Matthias Flacius Illyricus.  The story of Flacius alone gives us a big picture on 2nd-generation Lutheranism as he was a significant figure involved with most of the significant controversies and debates that happened in the time period from Luther's death to the Formula of Concord. Wade Johnston is assistant professor of history and theology at Wisconsin Lutheran College and an ordained Lutheran pastor (WELS). He also is a contributor at 1517.org and hosts the podcast Let the Bird Fly. Tune in for a fascinating discussion. Shownotes: In addition to Wade's book (linked above), we bring up the books: -Wade Johnston, The Devil Behind the Surplice: Matthias Flacius and John Hooper on Adiophora -Robert Kolb, Bound Choice, Election, and Wittenberg Theological Method: From Martin Luther to the Formula of Concord -Luka Ilić, Theologian of Sin and Grace: The Process of Radicalization in the Theology of Matthias Flacius Illyricus -Oliver K. Olson, Matthias Flacius and the Survival of Luther's Reform      

"Philippists", "Flacians", "Stoics", "Synergists". These are all names given, whether pejoratively or appropriately, to factions and groups that arose within the movement Luther started after his death. James and Andrew dive into this period of the second half of the 16th century to explore who some of these people were and what some of the debates were about. Enjoy! SHOWNOTES: Referenced in the show is Robert Kolb's book Andreae and the Formula of Conrod: Six Sermons on the Way to Lutheran Unity and Bound Choice, Election, and the Wittenberg Theological Method: From Martin Luther to the Formula of Concord

"Faith", "Righteousness", "Sin". These are terms that meant something different to the young Luther than the later Luther. What changed? According to a study done by Lutheran theologian the Rev. Dr. Lowell Green, it was Luther's young colleaugue and friend Philip Melanchthon who had a lot to do with it. In this episode, James and Andrew review this book. Enjoy! Shownotes: -A link to Green's book -Green's biography on Concordia-Fort Wayne's website  

Andrew shares his deep appreciation for Dietrich Bonhoeffer that he has gained since seeing the 2024 movie, reading primary and secondary resources on Bonhoeffer, and teaching a Bonhoeffer class at his parish. Shownotes Literature that Andrew recommended in the show: Charles B. Marsh's Strange Glory: A Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer Ferdinand Schlingensiepen's Dietrich Bonhoeffer 1906-1945: Martyr, Thinker, Man of Resistance Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works in English A Church Undone: Documents from the German Christian Faith Movement, 1932-1940 (edited by Mary Solberg)  

James and Andrew share about their experience at the Anglican Way conference in February, 2025.  Shownotes: -The videos of all the speaker presentations of the conference can be watched here. (https://anglicanway.org/2025-conference/) -the name of the eccentric apocalypticist of the 1480's that Andrew and James couldn't think of was Johann Hilten of Eisenach

Dr. Lyndal Roper joins us on this episode to discuss the turbulent and devastating peasant wars of 1525, a series of events that comes up often in Reformation studies but are hardly in themselves ever the center of focus in historical study.  Dr. Roper's most recent book Summer of Fire and Blood is the first major book in a generation devoted to this subject in detail. In this episode we discuss the motivations behind the peasant revolts, their devastation and their aftermath. Additionally, we discuss the roles that the theologies of Martin Luther, Thomas Müntzer, and Andreas Karlstadt had behind the uprisings. Enjoy! Dr. Roper is the Regius Chair of History at the University of Oxford. Her general focus is the early modern period, and specializes in studies of Luther, the Reformation, 16th century German art and material culture, gender history in the early modern period, and the history of witchcraft. Her past books include Martin Luther: Renegade and Prophet, Living I Was Your Plague: Martin Luther's World and Legacy, and Witch Craze: Terror and Fantasy in Baroque Germany. 

Mary Magdalene appears in the sermons and writings of Luther, Zwingli, Bullinger, Calvin, and Beza in ways that reflect their theological perspectives. Dr. Steven Tyra joins the podcast on this episode to discuss his work in this interesting area. Steven Tyra's work referenced: -"Mary Shames Us All": Martin Luther's Reception of the Medieval Magdalene as found in Church History and Religious Culture, Vol. 98, No. 3/4 (JStor link) -"Reformation Perspectives on Mary Magdalene from Luther to Zwingli to Calvin" featured in the forthcoming (2025) book The Oxford Handbook of Mary Magdalene -Steven's book "Neither the Spirit without the Flesh": John Calvin's Doctrine of the Beatific Vision Other works referenced to or recommended in the episode by Steven or Andrew: -Scott Hendrix's article "Luther Against the Backdrop of the History of Biblical Interpretation" in Interpretation 37 (3) -Erik Lundeen's book The Reformation of the Literal: Prophecy and the Senses of Scripture in Early Modern Europe -Bruce Gordon's recent book Zwingli: God's Armed Prophet -Jennifer McNutt's book The Mary We Forgot: What the Apostle to the Apostles Teaches the Church Today